Just Building Steps or Crafting a Stairway to Eternity?

There once was a cathedral being built in a large city. There were two brick layers hired to build the walkways and steps both front and back into the cathedral. One day a rather curious and odd man stopped as he walked by. He stood there observing the two bricklayers for a few minutes, one working on the front steps and the other on the back. Then he walked over to the bricklayer working on the front steps and asked the man what he was doing. The bricklayer replied rather shortly, I am laying bricks. Ok, the passerby answered, but what are you making with the bricks? Well, steps, can't you see that, came the somewhat annoyed response. Ok, but why are you building steps the passerby persisted. Because it is my job the irritated bricklayer snipped back. Ok, I hate to be nosey but why do you do your job? By now the bricklayer had stopped working, turned around, and glared at the passerby with annoyance and disgust. So I can earn money so I can eat just like everyone else he responded in a clearly exasperated tone. He then added, do you have any more stupid questions before I get back to work? The passerby looked a little concerned, as though he had not wished to anger the bricklayer, but preceded to state, well, if you don't mind, I do have one more question. Why do you eat? At that the bricklayer jumped up looked the passerby in the face and said so I can have energy to work you idiot. Now I am done with your ridiculous questions, my mortar is drying, he retorted as he turned back to his stack of bricks.